Author’s Notes: This is a remake of an old old old old old old story I was writing once upon a time that had no name and no plot. I revised the characters, changed a bit of the plot, added some twists and came up with this as a first chapter!! ^__^ I do hope you enjoy this one. It’s not really sappy, more serious and depressing, but those parts aren’t until later in the story. Do enjoy and don’t forget to review!!

~Lordess

P.S. For the most part, it’s told from Nataku’s point of view, but every now and then it will switch to complete third person. Confusing? Yes. Adds good effect? I think so... ^__^

P.S.S. There’s a lot of Japanese wordage in this... so I put a little dictionary that translates what they said.... roughly... if it’s wrong, please correct me... I’m no good at japanese...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ----this is an interlude bar... behold it’s power...

Run...

The single word filled my mind, taking up every space of thought and using all energy held within my body. That was my objective... That was all I could think of....

Run...

Something was chasing me though the night. Though this figure was dark, a shadow amongst a circus of shadows. All I knew was this figure was dangerous... And I had to...

Run...

My footing slipped against the wet pavement and I slid to the ground, hitting my head harshly against the cement. Pain rushed through me like waves and I began to feel the darkness close in. No... I couldn’t let that happen... He couldn’t find me... He couldn’t...

Get up... Run...

My thoughts almost seemed to be that of someone else... someone speaking to my mind in a deep voice that soothed my soul. No... not soothed... It upset me... It made me weak... Made me venerable... But it was too convincing... Ignoring it was impossible...

Run!

This time the voice screamed at me, and all pain vanished with a rush of adrenaline. I scrambled to my feet, glancing once behind, and upon seeing no one, began to run once again. Before I was able to turn fully forward, my body slammed into another and I stumbled back.

Too late!

No more running... No more hiding... Fear filled me as I realized those things were no longer possible. There he stood... towing over me even as I stood straight and firm. My enemy had found me... Was all lost...?

But as I stared into the face of the stranger, I realized he was not a stranger at all. I knew him... Those green eyes... I knew those green eyes from somewhere... What else did I remember? No... nothing but those eyes mattered...

The figure extended his hand, silently inviting my hand to join his. For a moment, I just watched him, concentrating solely on those green eyes of his. A smile almost crept onto my face... almost... and I began to extend my hand towards his.

“NO!”

The voice startled me, my body becoming ridged. “Mutashi...?” I asked, the name falling flatly from my mouth, cracking from exhaustion. I wanted to turn around, but the eyes of the figure wouldn’t let me. Something about them permitted me from moving backwards... and the voice... Mutashi’s voice... permitted me from going forward...

“To take his hand is death!” Mutashi’s voice screamed from behind me, filling my head. “Listen to me, Nataku! Don’t take his hand!”

“...Mutashi...!” Again, I tried to move, but my body was not able to fulfill my mind’s commands.

“Don’t listen to anything he says! It’s all a trick Nataku! Listen to me! Don’t fall in love with him!”

...Love...? ...Fall in love...?

Take my hand Nataku...

The voice... the commanding voice... was that the voice of the stranger? The figure that stood before me? That voice that made me feel at home...?

You can trust me...

“Don’t listen to him! Listen to me!”

Take it... Don’t take it... What do you want me to do?!

My body made it’s own decision, and without knowing it, my hand fell into that of the figure. As his fingers closed around my palm, Mutashi’s voice came to my ears one last time, as if she stood right next to me.

“Gomen nasai Nataku...” she whispered, and I could almost hear the tears as they fell from her eyes. “I tried to protect you... I failed... Gomen nasai...”

The figure pulled me forward and wrapped his other arm around my waist, forbidding me from moving. He leaned in and...

“You’re now mine... guardian...” All sense of perception was lost as his lips brushed against mine as he whispered in a sweet voice. His lips brushed against mine a second time, more forcefully and my mind began to slip away from my body. There was a sudden jolt of pain that brought me back and I was released from his grip, left to stumble back a few steps. I watched the figure, a small blotch of blood staining his lips that were curved upwards in an eerie smirk. My hand wandered up cautiously and brushed past my own lips.

As I brought my fingers down, blood had smeared them. He had bitten me... With a mix of surprise and anxiety, my body swerved around, screaming the only name I could ask for help.

“Mutashi!”

But she was gone... All that was left was the darkness of the abandoned streets. My breath seemed lost and I turned, frightened back to the figure as he stood in the same ridged position. And he began to laugh.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Nataku! Nataku-chan!”

My eyes shot open. A dream... it was all a dream... I gave a deep sigh of relief, realizing I was in my room, laying on my soft bed as the morning sun filtered in through my window. My eyes closed again and my beating heart began to slow.

“Nataku!”

The voice and sudden banging on the door caused me to jump, startled. I glared at the locked entrance wearily.

“What?!” I shouted back.

“It’s time to wake up!” the voice of my elder brother shouted back through the wood. “The bus comes in half an hour! Get ready!”

I groaned and rolled onto my stomach, burring my head into my pillow. The grogginess that always came with mornings hit and I felt the urge to fall asleep once again. That is, until I noticed the small sting in my lower lip.

Curiously, I lifted my head to see a small red smear that hadn’t been on my pillow case the night before. I wiped my hand across my lip and gazed down at my fingers. My lip was bleeding... Was the dream... real...?

No... it was just a dream...

Then why are you bleeding Nataku...?

Chapter 1: Surfacing

I walked downstairs fingering my lip, now out of my light green pajamas and into my high school uniform consisting of a long sleeved blouse under a black vest and matching skirt. My father looked up from his paper curiously.

“What’s wrong with your lip, honey?”

“Bit it last night...” It wasn’t exactly a lie... I never said who bit my lip... It just got bit... And frankly... that's all I knew myself... My dad, thankfully, dismissed it and went back to his morning paper and bagel.

My mother was not home, I knew. She was still hard at work at the grocery store down the street. I glanced at the time, seeing 7:30, and came to the conclusion that graveyard shift would be over soon and she would be back home shortly. Probably around the time I would leave for school.

I grabbed a bagel from the bread box and shoved it in the microwave before moving to the refrigerator. My brother, Mamoru was his name, was munching down on cereal at the table next to my dad. The good, responsible college student he was still made slurping noises even at his age of 19... It bothered me.

I, myself, was in my sophomore year and 15 years of age... I would not turn 16 till my junior year because I was born in August, right before the cut off date in my old town. And then we moved and I was already to far in my schooling to skip a year. So I was the youngest of my class. This didn’t bother me... cause I was also one of the smartest too...

I grabbed the skim milk from the refrigerator and grabbed one of the glasses. I poured the liquid slowly, to tired to really lift the gallon to high up. After putting the cap back on and returning the milk container to the ice box, the microwave began beeping. I grabbed the butter quickly and slammed the refrigerator door shut.

“Something wrong...?” Mamoru asked curiously, stopping his slurping to glace at me as I grabbed a butter knife from one of the drawers, then moved over to the microwave to grab the bagel.

“Bad dream...” was all I said in reply, as I practically torn the bagel apart.

“...I really don’t think it was the bagel’s fault, Nataku...” he muttered. I sent a glare at him before opening the butter container and jabbing the knife in it. “The butter ‘nether...” Another glare as I began to spread what butter I collected on the knife onto the pastry in my hand.

“I doubt it’s your fault either... but you’re going to get a knife in your eye if you don’t shut up...”

“Touchy...”

And he returned to his slurping...

For a while, I thought I was at peace, and began feasting on the delicious bagel I had prepared in a matter of minutes. After a few bites consisting of slow chews, I grabbed the glass of milk and took a few sips. And then he started again...

“So what was your dream about...?” Mamoru asked. I frowned, seriously considering the threat I had previously made.

“None of your business...”

“Well if it’s going to effect things in the house hold, I’d like to know why...” he mused. “I mean, what if you decided to take your anger out on the T.V. or the stereo?”

Again, I considered the threat, drumming my fingers on the knife. “It’s a long story...” I finally said, taking another bite of my bagel.

“Well I’m not going anywhere for another...” A pause as he glanced at the clock. “Twenty minutes...” He gave a chuckle. “Of course, you have to go earlier than I do...”

I gave a small grunt as I finished the bagel, licking my fingers. A realization hit me as I finished my licking. I swallowed harshly, my green eyes wide. “My bus comes twenty minutes before yours does... doesn’t it...?” I asked.

Mamuro smiled. “Yup...”

An large, loud automobile passed our house.

“...Damn it...”

I inhaled the milk and rushed out of the door, grabbing my backpack from it’s hanger on the wall. “Sayonara nii-san! Sayonara ota-san!” I yelled as I sprinted across the front yard and towards the bus that was already at the next corner. “MAAAAATAAAAA!”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Nataku-CHAN!”

I was practically thrown to the ground from the person that rammed themselves into me. After a yelp and regain of balance, I turned around and smiled. “Oi Mutashi-san! Ohayogozaimasu!” I said brightly to the tall blonde girl at my side. “What’s up?”

“Betsu ni hutsuu dayo!” she replied jovially. “You’re later than usual today Nataku-chan... why is that?”

“I slept in and missed the bus...” I grumbled in reply. Mutashi laughed.

“Ah yes... Caught up in a seductive dream no doubt...”

“You have no idea...”

Mutashi paused, blinking at me with wide eyes. “...hontoni? I was kidding too...”

I rolled my eyes and placed a hand on my hip impatiently. “Mo... Mutashi-san... Let’s just get to class, alright?”

“Hai!” Mutashi replied, back to her jovial self as we started off, walking through the school yard towards one of the large buildings. “But I want to hear about this dream of yours!”

“Forget it! It’s my dream!”

“DEEEEEMO! NATAKU-CHAAAAAN! ONEGAIIII!”

“Does the word ‘iie’ mean anything to you?”

“Iie... betsuni...”

“Didn’t think so...”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The girl’s jade eyes opened and she watched the brunet and her blonde haired friend pass by, discussing something about a dream. She continued sitting upside-down on the school yard bench, her short black hair falling down towards the grass below. So busy watching the other two, she didn’t notice when a boy sat down next to her.

“What are you looking at, Kitalani?”

Her gaze shifted sideways, only seeing the black pant leg of the man sitting next to her. She left it at that and returned her gaze to the two girls. “I think she’s one of them...” she whispered, her expression emotionless.

The boy, similar in appearance to the girl, brushed his long bangs out of his darker green eyes. “Which one...?” he asked, his gaze following hers.

“The brunet...” Kitalani replied. The two were silent, watching the girls as they walked to class. For a moment, the girl they watched arched her head over, glancing at them as if she knew they were watching her, even at this far of a distance. “They both might be, actually...”

“Probably...” the male said grimly. “Demo... the brunet... Nataku... she’s definitely stronger....” Kitalani arched her head upwards, using her elbows to lift herself up.

“Miginis... do you know her?” she asked, studying him curiously.

“She’s in my class...” he replied without looking at her.

A devil of a smirk crossed the girl’s lips. “You should ask her out...”

Now Miginis did turn to her, giving Kitalani a look of disgust. “She’s not my type...” he replied coldly, standing up. “Come on... onee-san... Class is about to start...” Kitalani continued to smirk and waited a moment before turning herself around and placing her feet on the ground.

“Coming nii-sama...”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“And so the second world war began and...”

A yawn escaped my mouth as the old teacher continued with his daily, long, boring lecture. Most of the class was either asleep, or proceeding to do so. Only the smart people were paying close attention to Amano-sempai, our teacher.

Mutashi was doing what she always did in the middle of class... doodling...

Just my luck, I forgot my doodle pad at home. I had taken it out to work on an art project and forgot to put it back in. Now I was stuck fiddling with my pencil, tapping it impatiently on my open book... Not the most interesting thing... but it was all I could do to keep awake during the monotone monologue.

A snore came from the back of the class and went unnoticed by the teacher. It was said that his hearing aid didn’t work, and I believed it fully. Then there was the rumor that his glasses were prescribed for someone with much better vision. I believed that one too... Amano-sempai didn’t notice anything...

With a yawn, I turned to look out the classroom windows, trying cheer myself up by watching the blue sky. I noticed in the distance that storm clouds were approaching. I smiled. Storms always made me feel better for some reason. I saw a small crack of lightning spark.

At that moment, I felt a jolt within me, causing me to jump the slightest in my seat. It seemed that I felt the lightning as it struck, even though the storm was still miles away. Something about the feeling caused me to feel relaxed.

I pondered this momentarily, when I noticed one of the male’s in my class starring at me. He sat diagonally behind me to the left, the quiet kid with messy black hair and green eyes. ‘Eeeeecchi...!’ my mind thought grumpily. ‘Why do guys always have to stare?!’

I tilted my head around slightly, sending him a harsh glare. He gave an even colder glare back, then turned away, staring out the window at the approaching storm clouds. I gave a quiet, aggravated sigh and shook my head as I turned back to Amano-sempai.

“And the triple alliance was formed...”

Lightning cracked again and the thunder rumbled, and I could swear I could feel it shake my soul...

At that moment, the lunch bell rang, Amano-sempai barely noticing it until he saw some of the students begin to stand, ready to find their lunch spots. “Alright class, enjoy your lunches,” the old man said in the same monotone he used while lecturing.

I grumbled, grabbing my backpack and beginning to rumble through it. I gasped, then groaned. “Kusoooooo!” I mumbled, leaning forward and hitting my head on the desk. Mutashi looked up from closing her drawing pad.

“Nani? Daijobou?”

“Iie...”

“Doushite?”

“...I forgot my lunch...”

Mutashi blinked a few times, then laughed. “Poor Nataku-chan!” she exclaimed, and I figured she didn’t have the least bit of sympathy for me. “I don’t have any money with me, and I never bring a lunch... So I guess you’re stuck without lunch for today!”

I grumbled and sunk lower in my seat. “...Onaka suiteruno...”

An evil smile crossed Mutashi’s face and she leaned in a bit closer. “Well I’ve got an idea...” she whispered. “Why don’t you ask quiet-boy back there?” She motioned towards the black haired boy behind me. I glanced at him, seeing him still looking out the window. “I noticed he was staring at you during class...”

I thought this over. Why not give it a try? Nothing to lose...

I shrugged and lifted myself from the desk, walking over to the other classmen’s desk. As I stopped, crossing my arms across my chest, he turned to look up at me, raising an eyebrow. I frowned.

“Since you found me so entertaining all class... Maybe you can help me...” I muttered. A scowl crossed his face.

“I find nothing about you interesting...”

“And that’s why you were staring at me during half the class?”

I saw a hint of red in his cheeks. “I wasn’t staring!”

“Oh? And what do you call it?” I asked, frowning deeper. He stuttered to reply, and I, fed up with excuses, interrupted. “Oh never mind... I’ve come to ask a favor of you...”

A sneer. “And what would that be?” he asked, his green eyes meeting mine. A shockwave rushed through me as I locked with those unrelenting cold green eyes...

They were the same from the dream...

I snapped out of the trance quickly, and put on my best innocent smile, throwing my hands together in a pleading sort of way. “Do you have some food I can eat, or maybe some money I can borrow?” I asked quickly, pleading, and as sweet as I could manage with a growling stomach. “I completely forgot to pack lunch this morning! I’ll pay you back, I promise!”

He blinked a few times, surprised at my request. Then the sneer returned and he reached in his backpack, producing a neatly wrapped and sliced sandwich. I smiled brightly as he handed to me. “Sugoi!!! Arigatoo!!!” I said, smiling brightly. I took the sandwich from him and extended my free hand, taking his tightly with a strong shake. “Watashi no namaei wa Mugen Nataku desu!”

The black haired boy looked at my hand oddly, then glared back at me, taking his hand away as if it was something he shouldn’t touch. He turned back to the window. “Anya Miginis...” was all he said.

Shaking my head, I returned to my seat, sitting down and immediately beginning to feast on the turkey sandwich with cheese, mayonnaise, and lettuce. Mutashi sat in her desk, blinking at me with the oddest expression. I looked at her, licking the mayo on my lip, tilting my head. “Nani...?”

She only laughed.

Miginis was just the slightest bit disgusted... both with the jovial brown haired girl... and with himself... Nataku had made a horrific remark... She had implied that he had liked her... Of all the girls in the world, she thought that he had chosen her! How could she think that?! The only thing that mattered to him was if she had the endurance to control her element... That was all... Love did not exist in a world like his...

But the disgust.... at himself...

He began to fear she was right in her thinking... That, if proven true, would be highly dangerous...

Miginis tilted his head to see Kitalani walk up to him, sliding effortlessly into the desk in front of his. “Rumors spread fast...” was the first three words that escaped her lips. Miginis blinked, clearing his mind of thought.

“What’s that supposed to mean...?” he asked, regarding the raven haired girl curiously. She smirked in reply.

“Starring at Nataku the entire class period... Hmmm! Isn't she the luckiest girl in the school!” Mockery was plainly heard in her voice. It took a few moments for what she had said to register in his brain.

And with that understanding came a slow look of repulse that spread across his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me...” he murmured. “The entire school thinks I have a crush on Mugen Nataku...?” Kitalani gave a slow nod and a sympathetic look.

“But this could work out for the better...” she mused. “The more I’m around her, the more I think she’s one of the chosen...” Miginis frowned.

“Habadaku will be able to give us a better answer...” he replied, frown deepening. “Should she be one of the chosen, it will be a great progression for us... We just have to make sure the others don’t get a hold of her first...”

With that Kitalani gave a smile, tapping the boy on the nose as she stood up. “Exactly!” she said in a soft, yet excited tone. “And it’ll be your job to make sure they don’t!” The black haired boy blinked, then watched as Kitalani left the classroom, the teacher walking into my own classroom with Nataku and her blonde haired friend Mutashi with her.

Miginis gave a scowl, and turned his attention elsewhere.

Nataku had better be worth it...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was just my lucky day... wasn’t it? First the odd dream, that, for all I know, could have been real... Then I missed the bus... And then I just HAD to go and get detention for accidentally sleeping during class... And I wasn’t even asleep! Sure my eyes were closed... But I heard everything that Applebee-sempai had said!

...The old woman just doesn’t like me...

Probably cause I know Mutashi...

Mutashi usually falls asleep in class...

...

I need to get more responsible friends...

A deep sigh as I walked sluggishly home from school, the sky darkening rapidly before my eyes. The heat of the late afternoon was suffocating and I was sure I’d die if I didn’t get home soon. This had been an all around terrible day... The only good part was that I had managed to get a sandwich from-

I stopped dead in my tracks after rounding a corner and finding Anya Miginis leaning against a wall, eyes to the ground. His eyes slowly lifted themselves to meet mine, a frown crossing his face and a deafening silence falling over both of us.

I gave a smile, half forced. “Konbanwa Miginis-kun!” I added a hint of mockery in my voice and a small laugh to go with it. His eye twitched slightly at this and his frown deepened as he pivoted into a standing position.

“I take it you’ve heard the rumor...”

Now my mocking smile was purely genuine. “What? That Miginis has a crush on little old me?” A chuckle escaped my lips. “My friend Hamasaki-san filled me in during detention... She wouldn’t leave me alone about it either...”

Miginis gave a look of pure disgust his eyes concentrating on the brick wall beside him for a moment. Again the silence fell. It was him who broke it this time. “I need to talk to you...” he said, eyes concentrating on the wall.

“About what? Borrowing your lunch? Or the rumor?” I asked, shifting my weight and throwing my backpack (which I had been lugging in front of me by the handle) over my shoulder carelessly. His eyes left the wall and turned to me and again I felt a jolt at the comparison between his eyes and the ones from my dream.

“Neither...”

My smile melted away, a tone of seriousness falling over me. I frowned. “Alright... I guess you have the right to do so...” I muttered in reply, taking a few steps forward pausing only a moment to look distantly into his eyes before side stepping around him. “Walk while you talk, Miginis-san...”

Miginis silently agreed and matched my rather sluggish pace easily, walking a foot to my right. For a few moments all had become silent, excluding the click of shoes against the pavement. “Have you had any strange dreams recently...?” the black haired boy asked. I paused in mid stride, almost throwing off my stern exterior and blowing up at him in surprise.

“What do my dreams have to do with anything?” I asked instead, eyeing him cautiously. His gaze met mine again.

“Dreams mean everything...”

This time I stopped, raising an eyebrow quizzically. “What’s that supposed to mean...?” I asked as he came to a stop and turned to me.

“Dreams are the creators of hope and inspiration. They are the keepers of pride and happiness. And these dreams are held by Illotica... A simple glass sphere tinted and ruled by the power of an elemental...” Miginis said sternly and I lowered the backpack in front of me again, eyes wider than they had been only moments ago. And Miginis continued.

“Each Illotica holds magnificent powers and an abundance of energy... There is one inside every human being. It is what drives us forward and what gives us hope. If one can successfully survive the extraction of their Illotica, they can completely rule the element is it governed by and thus given the responsibility of becoming a guardian of Illotica.”

I frowned for a moment, then smirked and tossed my head back, my bangs lifting from my face and falling back. “What are you getting at by telling me this fairy tale...?” I asked. His eyes narrowed.

“It’s no fairy tale...”

“I’ll determine that later... answer my question...”

“I want to see if your qualified...”

“For what?”

“Becoming a guardian...”

My smirk grew and I threw my backpack aside, letting it hit the brick wall on my side before it slid down and hit the pavement. I then extended my arms casually to the sides. “Alright then... See if I’m qualified...” I said with pride, not fully understanding what I was letting him do. “Extract my... Illotica...”

Miginis gave a smirk as cold as winter. “With pleasure...” He set down his own pack and threw his right hand up to the sky, palm facing directly upwards. I raised an eyebrow and continued to smirk.

Now what would this prove? That he was insane?

My confidence shifted into fear as Miginis began to glow and I felt his aura shift and become exceedingly more powerful. A cold wind swept up behind me as power flowed towards the green eyed one. Dark clouds began to cover the sky across the town. Lightning and thunder roared sending cold shivers all across my body.

I watched with horrified expectations as the wind spiraled around the boy before me. A flash of light erupted from his raised hand and spiraled into a sphere’s shape before solidifying, becoming clear glass that spiraled with white streaks.

The light grew and rush over Miginis, his appearance shifting and changing into something opposite his normal features. His hair shifted to silver, tipped with gold and his clothes altered into a white uniform lined with silver and gold. A diamond shaped marking appeared in his left cheek and inside it a circle with a vertical line going straight through.

The light slowly faded and he lowered his hand, the orb giving a loud snapping noise as it suddenly shifted into a sword, it’s hilt of gold spiraling around the boy’s hand.

Lightning cracked again and my body seemed frozen with both amazement and terror. Miginis smirked and looked up at the cloud covered skies.

“Hmm... storm...” he mused out loud, his smirk growing as his gaze returned to me.

“What the hell are you...?” I asked, struggling to find my voice.

Miginis’ green eyes seemed to grow even colder as he replied softly. “The Dream Stalker of fantasy...” He raised his free hand and extended it towards me, another ball of light forming in his hand as the wind started up again, flowing around him as he gathered energy. “Guardian of Illotica...”

A single, continuous ray of light shot out from the gathered energy and shot straight into me. The pain that I felt from that was unbelievable. I gave a loud gasp and struggled for air as my entire body screamed in agony. My mouth tried to form words, but nothing but choking was heard. Using all my strength I sucked in as much air as I could and let out a sickening scream into the empty streets.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Her scream had long since died out but it still rang through Miginis’ head. The guardian’s smirk had vanished, replaced with a mixed look of disgust and anger. Why had Kitalani convinced him to do this? They could have just as easily waited it out... If she was a guardian then she would’ve self extracted the Illotica herself when the time came...

But no... they needed to see now... There was no other choice...

The constant ray of light that hand been streaming from the green eyed one’s hand now flickered and faded. He lowered his hand and watched as Nataku’s body collapsed to the ground, all consciousness fading from her dulled green eyes. Quietly, he approached her, his eyes staying constant on her emotionless face as she remained still.

He stopped, watching her slumped form, lying on it’s side and regarded her curiously. Using his foot, he pushed her shoulder over, her body shifting to lay on it’s back, her blank eyes staring straight up at the storm clouds that loomed over head.

“Pathetic...” he mused under his breath. Inside he felt different. No person had fought the searing pain of extraction as long as she had, not even some of the strongest looking people he confronted. But could she be a guardian...? None of the guardians passed out when their Illotica got extracted... They just made their transformations and that was it...

This bothered him.

As he stood there, towering over her, his eyes slowly expanded, fear creeping into his body. “The Illotica...” he said in a harsh whisper, taking a step back. “W-where...?!” Miginis struggled to find his voice as he realized her Illotica had not been extracted at all... He stumbled a few more steps back, eyes growing even wider.

He had never come across such a dilemma... hadn’t even HEARD about it... Something was different about this Mugen Nataku, but what he wasn’t sure.

He heard some shouts from the woods on the other side of the empty street. He frowned deeply, resisting the urge to run as he felt power flare up. Other powerful Illotica’s were drawing near, lead by the one he hated most...

The Elemental Guardian of wind was approaching...

His eyes wandered to Nataku, still unconscious and without an Illotica. He couldn’t let his rivals get her...

Determination filled him as he sprinted forward, towards the woods. He gasped as a huge gust of wind shot towards him, pushing him back slightly even after he shifted his power to create a shield around him. He growled as he heard the sneers and jests of the five figures hiding in the forest. They had arrived faster than he thought they would and he cursed himself for underestimating them.

He frowned deeply as one of the five stepped out from the shadows, a female figure with purple hair that had hints of blue that ran across the exceedingly long length of it. Baggy blue pants shifted with the movement of her long legs and the golden belt chimed and clicked with each step. She flexed one of her hands, the palm and upper wrist covered by a yellow glove that matched the yellow belly shirt. The blue straps that covered her shoulders shifted the slender arms moved forward and back.

The female figure stopped and smirked, the diamond symbol with the circle and line standing out on her pale complexion as her purple eyes glittered with anticipation. The girl shifted, letting her large shuriken rest upon her shoulder, it’s metal tips glimmering with each strike of lightning.

“Well well...” the purple haired guardian muttered with a smirk, the golden choker flexing as she spoke. “If it isn’t the Dreamstalker of fantasy up to his usual tricks and dirty play...”

“Speak for yourself, child of wind...” Miginis replied loudly with a scowl. “I know you’re not here out of the goodness of your heart...” He tilted his head to the side, his silver hair tossed about his face. The guardian of Wind tittered slightly.

“So what if I’m not...?”

“Either way I’m going to stop you...”

“What? Stop the five of us? By yourself?”

Miginis didn’t reply, his eyes narrowing deeply as anger flowed within him. He gripped his sword tighter, his knuckles turning white. Wind make a disapproving clicking noise with her tongue, ‘tsking’ him.

“Really Fantasy... You don’t stand a chance...” she mused with a dark chuckle, beginning to take a step forward. “So who’s the poor sap this time? Another helpless girl...?” Wind looked at the limp figure, too far away and at the wrong angle to see any distinguishing features besides her femininity. She stopped her pace as Miginis’ hand shot out in front of her, forbidding her to take any further advancement.

She turned her purple eyes to him and raised an eyebrow curiously, frowning. “Honestly Fantasy... I’m going to get to her anyway...” she muttered, looking down on him. “So why don’t you be a good boy and run home to your mommy...?”

The Guardian of Fantasy’s eyes met hers, turning deadly and cold. Wind frowned deeply as she watched him, looking into his eyes as if searching for a weak point. While she did this, Miginis used his outstretched hand to push Wind back harshly. The girl stumbled back a few steps with a mixture of his strength and the balance problem that existed while holding the large shuriken.

She frowned. “No matter...” she scoffed before tilting her head over her shoulder. “Mind! Soul! Get to work!” she shouted, taking a few steps to the side, swinging her metal weapon with the yellow, blue swirled crystal center to the ground gently.

The two males of the group stood from their position in the trees, their figures still undefined in the darkness of the early evening. They extended their hands forward, each releasing a small orb of light, one of dark green, the other of maroon, and sent them forward.

The two circles of light floated forward and stopped a few feet beside the purple haired Guardian before slamming into each other sending a shockwave of energy around the area, powerful enough to create a bright light, but not powerful enough to knock any of the standing people.

The light grew and shifted, taking a living shape, larger than both Fantasy and Wind. The light faded away leaving a solid creature of horrifying appearance. It’s large muscles tensed and relaxed with each breath, it’s tail flipping from side to side, it’s black fur shimmering even in the thunder storm. It’s three fingers flexed, allowing the deep blue claws to be shown. It’s ears twitched forward and back, hearing all sounds, it’s eyes glowing and it’s fangs bared.

“Fantasy-san... I’d like you to meet Karekt,” Wind said, smirking. “He’s a friend of Mind and Soul... We’ve told him so much about you he was just DYING to see what you were made of... literally...” Miginis hated the sound of Wind’s voice and twitched involuntarily.

“Urasai...” Fantasy snapped quietly, drawing his sword back, it’s tip pointed forward. “You didn’t come here to talk... So make that monster attack...”

Wind’s smirk grew as she tilted her head towards the beast. “Alright Karekt... You heard the boy... He wants to play...” she said in a mock filled voice. “Have fun while you play little one...” And with that, Wind took a step back and the black furred beast took a step forward.

For a few moments, Miginis waited, his green eyes studying the massive creature before him. ‘Where is Kitalani when I need her..?’ his mind grumbled. Before he could ponder more, Karekt let out a sickening hiss followed by a dark roar that echoed through his head. The beast sprinted forward, using it’s weight to gain speed by pushing it forward.

Moments before Karekt collided, Miginis shot forward also, shifting almost immediately from a standing position to an all-out sprint. As Karekt drew near, the Elemental Guardian boosted himself into the air, flipping over the beast, throwing his sword downward and snagging the black monster’s flesh, shredding part of his back shoulder open.

The silver haired one paused as his feet hit the ground, watching Karekt as it gave another vile scream of rage. The beast stood to it’s full height once more and turned to face Miginis, blood running down the length of it’s arm before splattering on the ground below in large streams.

The wielder of Fantasy also stood to his full height, quickly swinging his sword before him, the hand holding the blade locking. He let the two fingertips of his index and middle finger stroke the erect blade slowly, feeling his own energy build.

The beast turned, it’s eyes darting this one and that as if he could no longer see the figure of white before his eyes. The Guardian Wind cursed under her breath. “Kuso! Karekt! What’s the matter with you?!” she shouted, her scowl deepening.

Miginis smirked at her anger and finished his energy collection, the steel of the sword glistening white. “It appears your monster can’t see me...” Fantasy said proudly. With the sound of noise, Karekt swerved and swung his claws desperately. Fantasy easily dodged, releasing some of the gathered energy towards the beast, hitting him in the unwounded shoulder.

Not much damage was done.

Wind gave a long scowl. “Yes, but his hearing is excellent... And your spell won’t last forever...”

Miginis knew she was right, but failed to show the expression of disappointment. His magic was not meant for frontal attacks, only defensive and illusionary. The only magics that would cause much damage took too long to gather energy as well as wasting a lot of his own.

He had cast a spell to throw off the beast once through the sword and slash, but he doubted he’d pull off another good hit like that. His only chance was Nataku. Thinking of her made him glance in her direction. His heart stopped as he did so.

She was gone.

Miginis lowered his sword slightly, eyes growing wide. This was highly unheard of. Never before had someone had the strength or willpower to wake up after an attempted drawing of Illotica, failed or not. Wind noticed the look of bewilderment on Fantasy’s face and followed his gaze, frowning deeply.

“What the hell...” she muttered, then turned to the weilder of Fantasy. “How could she get up and run, Fantasy-san...? Wasn’t she unconscious because of the extraction?” A slow smirk slid into place. “Or did you get a little fun from her...?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Pain.

The pain was unbearable. Never before had I felt something with such intensity as this. It washed over me with unbelievable force, streaming over my entire body in waves. It felt as if my very existence had come close to leaving my body in a separation of excruciating pain.

What had Miginis done to me?

What was Miginis?

He had tried to extract my Illotica, as he said he would. He had come to test me, to see if I was ready to become guardian. Guardian of what? Was he a guardian? Yes. He had said as much. I curled up tighter into my little ball, waiting for the pain and confusion to leave.

I had woken up, aching far to much to continue the state of unconsciousness. I saw the huge beast of black battling Miginis and figures in the trees watching. And a girl who looked too familiar for comfort. I stayed only a moment before scrambling painfully, yet silently, away from the scene. Now I sat, hunched against a wall only a corner away from the battle. The little movement I had made left me completely devastated of energy and nearly passing out from the sting of pain.

I half heard the conversation spoken around the wall, too enveloped in my own thoughts and pain to pay much attention. I knew deep inside that I couldn’t stay there long, so forced myself to stand, heaving deeply from the abundance of discomfort. It burned with each movement I made.

Slowly, I walked forward, the voices fading from earshot. I waited to slip back into unconsciousness, but the searing pain kept my attention sharp. Only a few feet further, I collapsed again, falling to my stomach. I curled again, taking deep breaths, trying to relax my muscles, but not succeeding. I waited for a moment of relief before pushing myself to my knees.

I sat there, being tortured, slowly killed I was sure, and unsure of how I was going to get home and away from this insanity. Another wave of pain hit and my hand flew up to the glass wall of the office building next to me. I used the flat surface to steady myself and keep me up.

Again the pain lessened and I slowly turned my gaze to the dark reflection, lighted only by the now shinning streetlights. My heart stopped at what I saw.

A figure, coping my motions, but of different appearance. Same height, size, and composure, yes, but she was diverse... Her hair was purple, seemingly shining gold. She wore an outfit of a belly shirt that reached up around her neck, short shorts, boots that reached her knees and gloves that likewise reached midway. The coloring, slightly distorted by the tint of the glass, appeared green, purple, and gold.

And on her face, a distinct symbol I had seen before. The symbol on Miginis’ cheek copied onto that of the girl’s. The diamond marking with the circle in the center, line shooting through the center. I looked from the reflection to my own body, making sure it was still the same. It was.

I looked back at the reflection, a look of confused horror on my face. That couldn’t be me... It just couldn’t...

The pain hit me again, stronger than ever now, seemingly consuming my entire being. I slid forward, curling myself into a lying position on the concrete. I closed my eyes, tears forming and sliding down my cheek as I cried softly and prayed the pain would stop.

Don’t reject it, Nataku...

My eyes snapped open, momentarily dismissing the pain. A voice, different, echoed through my head. After a moment, the feminine voice repeated. I did nothing; didn’t move, didn’t breath, and didn’t reply.

Accept it... It’s part of you Nataku... Accept that which is in you...

Consciously, I couldn’t begin to fathom what the voice told me. Something in my subconscious, however, snapped. I closed my eyes and the pain faded away, disappearing as quickly as it had come. My body relaxed for a moment, and I then raised myself to my feet.

I felt the wind stir and lightning cracked in the sky above, lighting the surrounding area. My gaze turned upwards, staring at the clouds as they began to darken, seemingly swirling around the air above me. My mind drifted back to when Miginis had changed before me. What had he said...? It’s importance seemed to elude me. I quickly reviewed everything he had said in no particular order.

I felt something flow within me, growing with comforting ease. The wind stirred around me again. I felt sparks of electricity flitter along my skin, coming from within at my command. I closed my eyes with the comfort of this, breathing in as deeply as I could.

The sky thundered with noise and I opened my eyes just in time to see a streak of lightning descending upon me. I felt no fear, and surprisingly no pain as it hit me, surrounding me with all of it’s magnificent power. I felt it surge through me and arched my back up involuntarily, loving the illicit pleasure it gave me.

The power... The power shared between the storm and myself... It was the same...

I felt something pull from my body, escaping my upper chest like an object would while being lifted from water. It was as if the physical body I held were nothing more than an image and the object itself were my entire being.

I felt my body change. I kept the same shape, but I felt stronger, faster. My appearance wavered slightly before it changed as well. I could feel it like a ripple would change water. The lightning faded, I was restored to the ground, the power flowed with ease inside me, and I opened my eyes.

I turned to my reflection, a look of quiet content on my face.

I had become the reflection, and the reflection had become me.

I was a guardian...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Kuso!”

Miginis dodged another one of the monster’s attacks. The spell had finally worn off and he had begun attacking the weilder of Fantasy immediately. Wind was pleased, none the less, and smirked as she watched Miginis’ futile efforts as he continued dodging.

She noted how each next step was slower than the one previous.

He was wearing out, and soon she would have him.

Karekt gave an unexpected swing with his sharp claws and Miginis was caught off guard. He gave a loud scream of pain as he was knocked to the side like nothing more than a rag doll. His sword flew from his grasp, clattering against the pavement a few feet away.

He sat up weakly and gave a hideous sounding cough, garnet blood splattering against gray cement. Miginis wiped his mouth and rose to his feet, watching Karekt circle him warily. The cursed under his breath. This wasn’t working....

He froze and gave a small, amazed gasp as a rather large streak of lightning erupted from the sky and hit the ground a number of yards away. It stayed for a few seconds, sending it’s power to whatever was in it’s path before shooting back up to the sky.

Wind frowned curiously. “What the hell was that...?”

Her question was answered as an unmistakable presence shot through all present. It was the presence of a guardian. A very powerful one.

Miginis’ lips curved into a smirk at the ‘feel’ of this presence. It was the touch of storm. Somehow, Nataku had successfully extracted her Illotica. By Kitalani? No. The presence of earth was no where to be felt. She had done it on her own. She had come to terms with the power that lay inside her and accepted it.

That had never been done before.

Wind was getting more and more nervous. Everything about this situation was highly unnatural. The way she hadn’t seen the girl’s Illotica. The way the girl had vanished. And now the presence. She heard the figures behind her stir and she held up her hand.

“No,” she said firmly. “Stay there.”

Silence filled the air. None moved and none breathed. The steady sound of footsteps started, growing louder as the newly arisen guardian moved closer. All eyes turned to the source of the sound, not seeing it until a few moment later when a feminine figure stepped out from behind a corner. In one hand she held an Illotica, tinted green and gold with the power of storm.

For a moment, the figure with purple hair, wearing an outfit of green, just stood there, gazing over the scene slowly, her dark emerald eyes meeting every other pair she could find. Miginis was last. When she saw him, she began to approach, her face smeared with seriousness, eyes holding a cold tone.

She brushed past Wind casually, stopping for a moment to lock eyes with the purple eyed one. Guardian Wind sucked in a deep breath at the look, a look she recognized. It seemed her breathing, heart rate, and brain stopped all at once. Wind knew this girl...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Once passing the purple haired female, I continued on my way to Miginis, the only familiar face I could see. He watched me, a mix of curiosity and fear plaguing his eyes, but hidden by a well placed smirk. I stopped before him.

“Are you satisfied...?” I asked in a quiet voice.

“You’re different...” he whispered back. “Nothing about you is like the other guardians... You’re special somehow...”

A smirk crossed my own. “How flattering...”

The smirk vanished however as I heard a terrifying roar erupt from the black beast behind me. I spun around quickly, taking the green orb in hand and feeling it shift with my will. It gave a loud snap, much like Miginis’ had, and a blade surged from each side. The handle was created, spiraling around a miniature orb in the center.

The beast charged and I grasped my swallow tightly. As the beast came near I tensed further, first pulling the blade back, one of it’s tips close to the ground, then swung forward, hearing the sickening screech of steal against cement. The first blade of the sword went through the beast smoothly, blood pouring immediately from the deep wound that reached from his lower thigh to it’s already wounded shoulder.

I pulled the sword back around and swung with the other blade, feeling it go through the beast’s center at a horizontal angle. I stopped midway and let the power I had accepted flow once again. Electricity flew across the blade from my finger tips and straight into the beast. It gave a blood curdling scream of pain before I released it, finishing the slash I had started.

The monster fell to the pavement slowly and I straightened my posture.

I heard voices from the trees, some of amazement, some angry. One of the figures made as if to attack me, but it was the purple haired female who stopped them.

“Iya! Dame!” she shouted at them, a cold look in her eyes. “Fall back!”

“What?!” a male voice asked. “We can’t just-”

“I said fall back!”

Reluctantly, they agreed, the figures in the trees slowly backing away. The girl in front turned to me again, a look of bewilderment in her eyes. She paused only a moment before readjusting her shuriken and running back into the forest.

I watched her leave, feeling the power within me ease.

There was something familiar about that one... But I couldn’t figure out what....

I turned back around, meeting Miginis’ shocked eyes. I gave a soft smile. “So I’m different?” I asked, my voice cracking as a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. “I’m... special?” My knees buckled from underneath me. The sword snapped back into it’s original orb shape and I felt the rest of my power coil back inside of me. The glass orb then rippled back into my hand and I was back to my normal self all before my body hit the ground.

A pair of strong hands grabbed my shoulders and turned me over, supporting me with one arm. I felt as if all my energy had left me. I was left with no strength. Was this a side effect of the extraction? Yes, it must be that.

I opened my eyes to meet the pair of green eyes which had haunted my dreams the night before, and I knew would haunt them again... But they were kinder now... more inviting... I gave a slow breath as the figure with black hair and green eyes pushed some hair out of my face.

“Oyasumi... Miginis-san...”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My lil’ translation station! ---lookie! It rhymes!

Gomen nasai/Gomen ne/Gomen: All mean ‘I’m sorry’ Gomen nasai is the most sincere (GOMEN NASAI! I didn’t mean to drop the pancake!)

Nii-san/Nii-sama: brother

Ota-san: father (daddy-kins!!!)

MAAAAAATAAAA!: WAAAAAAAAAIT!!!

Oi: hey (as in “hey you! Get back here with that pancake!)

Ohayogozaimasu: Good morning! (ohayogozaimasu! Where’s the pancakes?)

Betsu ni hutsuu dayo: Nothing special/nothing much

Hontoni: Really?

Mo: geez

Hai: yes/yup (*shakes head* yes.... *nods* I have nooooo life...)

Demo: but

Onegai: please

iie: no

betsuni: not really

onee-san: sister

Eechi: eeeeeeew!

Kuso: damn

nani: what

daijobou: are you alright?

doushite: why?

onaka suiteruno: Well, I’m hungry... (onaka suiteruno... for pancakes...)

sugoi: awesome!

arigatoo: thank you!

watashi no nemae wa ______ desu: My name is _____

konbanwa: goodnight

Iya: no! (to an action I believe)

Dame: don’t

Oyasumi: good night

*note* a shuriken (or however the hell you spell that) is this big cross boomerang thingy-ma-bobber. If you’ve ever played Final Fantasy 7, it’s Yuffie’s main weapon... I think...

Author’s note: you like? yes? no? is it completely terrible? Do you think I should write the next chapter so you understand what’s going on? ...^__^ hehehehe... please, feel free to tell me by reviewing!! I love comments from everyone! even if they are one worded, or really dis my story... please? ONEGAISHIMASU!!!